A new partnership between Leuchie House, near North Berwick, and Musselburgh-based Queen Margaret University (QMU) has been formed.

A Memorandum of Understanding, signed by officials from the university and national charity, aims to “advance” person-centred care services for people with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke and motor neurone disease (MND).

This builds upon a 10-year relationship between Leuchie and QMU.

The partnership will both help to identify research opportunities to support people living with degenerative diseases and create opportunities for students from QMU’s School of Health Sciences to gain practical experience.

Sir Paul Grice, principal and vice-chancellor of QMU, said: “Since its establishment, Leuchie House has been pivotal in ensuring the best quality of life possible for those with neurological conditions, as well as for their families and carers.

“Leuchie House’s work has been life-changing for so many, and now the formalisation of our partnership will only help progress this through the advancement of person-centred practice, learning, teaching, education and innovative research opportunities.

“QMU and Leuchie House share so many mutual values – a commitment to high-quality care, a recognition of equality and diversity, innovation and willingness to take risks, and a desire to generate new knowledge that is co-produced and has immediate impact.

“We are positive that our official partnership will be one that will not only advance personal-centred care but is both mutually beneficial and unquestionably transformative.”

Mark Bevan, CEO of Leuchie House, said: “Scotland has a rapidly ageing population, with increasingly complex healthcare requirements and a shrinking workforce. We need new solutions to emerging challenges.

“This proactive partnership builds on our aspiration to further develop Leuchie House as a centre of excellence which learns from and influences the latest thinking and practice in complex, highly personalised and technology-enabled health care.”

The memorandum will be operational for five years.